Newcastle United major injury update after three-month blow as Matthias Jaissle hands 17y/o first start
Newcastle United team news v Bayer Leverkusen has been confirmed.
Newcastle United have been boosted by the return of Lewis Miley to a matchday squad following a three-month injury absence.
The Magpies host Bayer Leverkusen in their first of two Visit Malta friendly matches at St James’ Park this weekend.
Miley suffered a broken fibula at the back end of the 2025/26 campaign that ultimately cut his season short and prevented him from featuring so far this pre-season. But now the 20-year-old is back involved and starting for Newcastle.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Not only is he in the starting line-up, he lines up alongside his younger brother, Mason, for the first time in a first-team setting. 17-year-old Mason has featured frequently from the bench in pre-season so far, filling in at right-back, but will now get an opportunity from the start.
Miley scored in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen last season and now returns to the side against the same opponent.
Matthias Jaissle’s squad will be split over the Visit Malta weekend matches, with players not involved against Leverkusen set to be involved against Strasbourg on Sunday. The bench in both matches is set to be made up of academy players.
It’s just over a week until Newcastle get their Premier League season underway against Liverpool at St James’ Park.
NUFC line-up v Bayer Leverkusen
NUFC XI v Bayer Leverkusen: Hornicek; M.Miley, Thiaw (c), Botman, Hall; Steur, L.Miley; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes; Wissa
Subs: Harris, Charlton, Pivas, Sanusi, Johnson, Finneran, Neave